Ernie Mercado of Ernie's Al Fresco Retires After Three Decades

Ernie Mercado was a fixture on Caltech’s campus for more than three decades as the proprietor of Ernie’s Al Fresco, a food truck beloved by students, staff, and faculty alike. Mercado announced his retirement last October. Students and alums, upon hearing the news, organized an online collection effort to honor his retirement and thank him for his service. Here are some of the tributes that were posted.

Ernie’s tacos dorados played more of a role in my decision to go to Caltech than I’d like to admit. … Good luck, Ernie! It’s the end of an era.

Sam Johnson (PhD ’16), Computational Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Ernie of Caltech food truck fame is retiring. … End of an era!! I spent > $6,000 at Ernie’s during grad school, and he got an acknowledgment in my thesis.

Ian Tonks (PhD ’11), Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Minnesota

Just look at that smile. Anyone who went through Caltech knows the impact this man had on our community. Wishing you a happy and fulfilling retirement, primo. Legend!

Moh El-Naggar (PhD ’06), Robert D. Beyer Early Career Chair in Natural Sciences, USC

Ernie has been a member of the Caltech family for so long. No matter how tough grad school got, he always was there and always greeted you with a smile and a laugh. Ernie’s food truck may no longer be in operation, but Ernie will not be forgotten!

Jeffery Byers (PhD ’07), Associate Professor of Chemistry, Boston College

Ernie has contributed to more science than any professor on campus! How lucky we’ve been to have Ernie’s food and joy in our lives.

Celeste Labedz (MS ’19), Caltech Geophysics PhD Student

Ernie’s quick smile, as much as his hearty plates of food, have been an important support for generations of Caltech students and staff. There have probably been hundreds of scientific breakthroughs dreamed up over a round of his burritos; I know one of my papers was.

Jackson Cahn (PhD ’16), Postdoctoral Researcher at ETH Zurich

It’s too bad that next time [I visit] Caltech, I won’t be able to get my Ernie’s fix. Truly an end of an era. This guy was more popular than Nobel laureates, beloved by all, always up for a joke, and affordable! Enjoy retirement!

Roland Hatzenpichler, Assistant Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Montana State University

Adiós, Ernie, and Thank You